Lock cylinder side bar actuated switch



Nov. 23, 1965 w. B. SHRODE ETAL 3,219,767

LOCK CYLINDER SIDE BAR ACTUATED SWITCH Filed May 7, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTORS MIX/bra 5. \s lroa'e T/goa'oze /i Joknszozze 7795/8 ATTORNEYNov. 23, 1965 w. B. SHRODE ETAL 3,219,757

LOCK CYLINDER SIDE BAR ACTUATED SWITCH Filed May '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet2 g; I! if INVENTORS h/iif'ara' 5. Shroa'e Wwoaare H. Jobnszane BY (LEWTHEIR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,219,767 LUCK CYLINDER SIDE BARACTUATED SWITCH Wilford It. Shrode, Huntington Woods, and Theodore H..Iohnstone, New Baltimore, Mich assignors to General Motors(Iorporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 7, 1963, Ser. No.278,569 13 (Ilaims. (Cl. 200-44) This invention relates to electricalswitches and more particularly to the type of electrical switch that isactuated by side bar movement in an ignition lock cylinder.

It is an object of this invention to provide an electrical switch thatis operable only upon insertion of the combination setting key into thelock cylinder without any further movement of that lock cylinder.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical switchthat is inexpensive to manufacture and which, also, can be mounted on alock cylinder of an existing design.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of a side baractuated switch made in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 2-2of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3showing the lock side bar in the retracted position; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIGURE 3showing the lock side bar in the extended position.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a conventional ignition lock assembly 20 disposedin operating position within the lock cylinder side bar actuated switch,generally designated by numeral 54 In the embodiment of the invention asshown in FIGURE 1, a mounting escutcheon 38 cooperates with the threadedportion 44 of the switch to hold the switch body 51 in firm engagementwith the metal support plate 76, such as an instrument panel of anautomobile.

FIGURE 2 shows the lock cylinder and side bar actuated switch in crosssection along the line 2--2 of FIG- URE l, the section being shown inenlarged scale. Section line 22 of FIGURE 1 is broken so as to show theoperative parts of the mechanism in a single plane. The lock assemblyincludes a cylinder 24 having a slot 46E which slidably supports atumbler 30E. The tumbler 349E is biased toward the top of the slot bythe spring means 28. The tumbler spring 28 is held in firm attachment tothe lock cylinder 24 by the tumbler spring retainer 26 which is securedto the lock cylinder 24. In perpendicular juxtaposition to slot 46 is aslot 48 which slidably supports the lock side bar assembly generallydesignated by numeral 22. The side bar springs 32 hold the lock side barassembly 22 is biased contact with the tumblers 369A, 30B, 30C, 30D, MEand 30F. The side bar springs 32 are interposed between the side bar 42and the fixed side bar spring retainers 34.

The side bar assembly 22 as shown in FIGURE 2 by the solid line and inFIGURE 4 is in the fully retracted position while the dotted line 22 inFIGURE 2 and FIG- URE 5 designates the lock side bar in the fullyextended position. Referring now to FIGURE 4, each tumbler 30A, 30B,30C, 30D, 30E and 30F has a groove similar to the groove 40 but placedin a position on the side of the tumbler that will cause it to alignitself with an adjacent slot as the key is inserted. This series ofaligned slots, not shown, forms one elongated slot into which the sidebar 42 moves as a key is inserted and thus disengages the side bar 42from the radial locking slot 23 as best seen in FIGURE 3. In its fullyextended position, the lock side bar 22 holds the arcuate leaf springconductor member 58 away from the contact fastening screw 70 as the sidebar extends past the body of the lock cylinder 24 through the radiallocking slot. The arcuate leaf spring conductor member 58 is held infirm attachment with the arcuate-shaped conductor member 52 through therivet fastener 56. The arcuate-shaped conductor member 52 iscircumferentially mounted on the lock cylinder 24 and serves as a radiallocater for the circular nonconductor member 54.

An insulating sleeve 68 is firmly embedded in the arcuate-shapedconductor member 52. The insulating sleeve 68 cooperates with thecontact fastening screw 76 to hold the contact 64 in its operativeposition. Embedded in the circular non-conductor member 54 is thearcuate conducting means 62 which serves as a current path betweencontact 64 and the contacts 66. The contacts 66 are held in theiroperative position by being mounted in the wall of the contact retainers72. The contact retainers 72 form a portion of the periphery of thehousing or switch body 51. The circular non-conductor member 54 isrotatable within this housing by means of pressure exerted on theoutwardly projecting member 60 which operates within the elongatedperipheral slot 74.

In operation, as the key 36 is inserted into the lock cylinder 24, thetumblers 30A, 36B, ItilC, 1WD, 30E and 30F are forced down against theirbiasing springs 28 into the slots 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, 46E and 46F. Asthe key as is pushed further into the lock cylinder up to the limit ofits travel, each succeeding tumbler is pressed downward which causes thetumbler grooves 40 to align themselves. As this alignment is caused totake place, the biased lock side bar 42 moves into the now alignedtumbler grooves 40. This movement of the lock side bar serves a twofoldpurpose. First, it releases a radial lock which allows rotary movementof the lock cylinder 24 and also allows the arcuate leaf springconductor member 58, by its own resilience, to com-e into contact withthe contact fastening screw '70. At this point in the operation, thearcuate leaf spring conductor member 53 is disposed as shown in FIGURE 2by the solid lines and the lock side bar 42 as disposed by the solidlines. The arcuate conductor means 62 being slidably rotatable betweenthe contacts 64 and 66 and in contact therewith is capable now oftransferring current from contact 64 to the contacts 66 and on toelectrical equipment attached thereto. The arcuate conducting means 62is of sufiicient radial length to allow the selection of one or more ofthe circuits that can be created between contacts 64 and 66 throughmovement of the outwardly projecting member 6th. Similarly, uponretraction of the key from the lock cylinder, all of the circuits soenergized are deenergized automatically, irrespective of the position ofthe outwardly projecting member 60. This deenergization is brought aboutbecause the switch is designed so that the series of tumbler springs 28cumulatively provide greater force than the side bar springs 32 and,when the key is retracted from the lock cylinder, the tumblers arecaused to move upwardly in slots 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, 46E and 46F andforce the lock side bar 42 towards the locked side bar spring retainer34. This can only be done when the lock cylinder has been returned tothe OFF position which causes the lock side bar to align itself with theradial locking slot 23. This lock side bar movement 3 also causes thearcuate leaf spring conductor member 58 to move away from the contactscrew 70, thus breaking the circuit through the arcuate conducting means62.

While the embodiment of the present invention, as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

ll. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a first switchingmeans engaging the lock side bar, and a second switching means having aplurality of contacts, said first switching means being responsive tomovement of the lock side bar and thereby operated by the insertion of akey into the lock cylinder, said second switching means conductivelyengaging said first switching means thereby providing a control over theplurality of contacts by insertion of a key into the lock cylinder.

2. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a circuit breakingmeans associated with the lock cylinder, movable conducting meanscarried by the lock cylinder and responsive to movement of the lock sidebar, a plurality of contacts engageable with said movable conductingmeans, said circuit breaking means and said movable conducting meansbeing conductively engaged to conduct electrical current to one orseveral of said contacts, said circuit breaker means being operated by amovement of the lock side bar caused by the insertion of a key into thelock cylinder.

3. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a first switchingmeans and a second switching means carried by the lock cylinder, saidfirst switching means being carried by the lock cylinder and actuatableby the insertion of a key into the lock, said second switching meanscomprising a plurality of fixed contacts, an arcuate conducting meansengageable with several of said fixed contacts, a circularnon-conducting member carrying said arcuate conducting means, said firstswitching means having a movable contact engageable with said secondswitching means as a key is inserted into the lock.

4. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a first switchingmeans carried by the lock cylinder and a second switching means carriedby the lock, the first switching means comprising an arcuate shapedconductor member rotatably carried on the lock cylinder, an arcuate leafspring conductor member, and a contact, said first switching meansactuated by insertion of a key into the lock thereby allowing the lockside bar to assume an operative position, said second switching meanscomprising a plurality of contacts circumferentially carried withrespect to the lock cylinder, an arcuate conducting member moving inresponse to the lock side bar, and a circular non-conducting member,said arcuate conducting member being imbedded in said circularnon-conducting member, said first switching means providing a contact,when energized, for said second switching means.

5. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a first switchingmeans comprising an arcuate shaped conductor member rotatably carried onthe lock cylinder, an arcuate leaf spring conductor member biasedlyengaging the lock side bar, and a contact, the lock side bar beingdisposed to hold said arcuate leaf spring conductor member away fromsaid contact or upon insertion of a key into the lock to allow thearcuate leaf spring conductor member to move against the contact andenergize said first switching means, said second switching meanscomprising a plurality of contacts, and an arcuate conducting meansarranged to selectively slidably contact said plurality of contactswhile engaging said circular non-conducting member and said firstswitching means, said arcuate conducting means carried by said circularnon-conducting member.

6. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a first switch ingmeans comprising: a switch body enveloping said lock, an arcuate shapedconductor member rotatably carried with respect to the lock cylinder andsaid switch body, an arcuate leaf spring conductor member carried bysaid switch body, and a contact, lock side bar being disposed to holdsaid arcuate leaf spring conductor member away from said contact or uponinsertion of a key into the lock to allow the arcuate leaf springconductor member to move against the contact and energize said firstswitching means, a second switching means comprising: a plurality offixed contacts carried by said switch body, a circular non-conductingmember, and an arcuate conducting means, said arcuate conducting meansimbedded in said circular non-conducting member and arranged toconstantly engage said arcuate leaf spring conductor member after thelock side bar frees said arcuate leaf spring conductor member, saidcircular non-conducting member having an elongated outward projection,said outward projection being a means for manual rotation thereofthereby allowing said arcuate conductor member to energize saidplurality of contacts severally or jointly.

7. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a plurality ofelectric switches, at least one having a deflectable movable contactresponsive to side bar movement and a fixed contact, said movablecontact following the movement of the side bar to selectively engage anddisengage said fixed and movable contacts.

8. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a plurality ofelectric switches, at least one, comprising; a fixed contact and amovable contact, said movable contact being biased to normally engagesaid fixed contact and being urged by the side bar to a position whereit is disengaged from said fixed contact when the key is removed fromthe lock cylinder and the side bar is projected.

9. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: switch meansincluding a fixed contact and a plurality of movable contacts, the lockside bar controlling the movement of a first movable contact of saidswitch means, a plurality of fixed terminals, and a manually shiftablecontact for electrically connecting said fixed terminals selectivelywith the fixed contact of said switch means.

10. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a switch bodymounted around the lock cylinder, a circuit breaking means carried bysaid switch body, movable conducting means, and a plurality of contactscarried by said switch body, said circuit breaking means comprising anarcuate shaped insulator member responsive to movement of a lever, anarcuate leaf spring conduct-or member responsive to movement of the lockcylinder, and a contact, said circuit breaking means and said movableconducting means being conductively engaged to conduct electricalcurrent to one or several of said contacts carried by said switch body,said switch body being circumferentially mounted on the lock cylinderand being actuatable by the insertion of a key into the lock cylinder.

11. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a switch body, acircuit breaking means slidably carried on the periphery of the lockcylinder, movable conducting means, and a plurality of fixed contactscarried by said switch body, said circuit breaking means comprising: anarcuate shaped in sulator member, an arcuate leaf spring conductormember carried by said insulator member and responsive to movement ofthe lock side bar, and a contact, said circuit breaking means and saidmovable conducting means being conductively engaged to conductelectrical current to one or several of said fixed contacts, saidarcuate leaf spring conductor being in flexed contact with the lock sidebar, said switch being opened or closed in response to the insertion orextraction of a key in the lock cylinder.

12. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a switch body, acircuit breaking means carried by said switch body, movable conductingmeans slidably carried with respect to said circuit breaking means, anda plurality of fixed contacts, said switch body having an elongated slotaround its periphery, said circuit breaking means including an arcuateshaped insulator member, a defiectable arcuate leaf spring conductormember carried by said insulator member, and a fixed contact, saidmovable conducting means 6 comprising, a circular non-conducting memberrotatably carried by said insulator member, an arcuate conducting meansimbedded in said circular non-conducting member, and an outwardlyprojecting portion arranged for manipulation, said outwardly projectingmember being a projection on the periphery of said circularnon-conducting member, said movable conducting means having an insideand outside portion being disposed in slidable concentric relationshiparound said circuit breaking means, said arcuate conducting means beingdisposed to make contact with one or several of said plurality ofcontacts with its outside portion while its inside portion is inconstant contact with said contact of said circuit breaking means, saiddisposition providing a selectively energizable circuit path to one orseveral of said plurality of contacts mounted in said housing.

13. In a switch housing having a rotatable lock cylinder disposedtherein, said lock cylinder including tumblers movable in response to akey to form a lateral slot, and a lock side bar movable from lockingengagement with the housing into said lateral slot to free the lockcylinder for rotation, an electric switch comprising: a housing, acircuit breaking means responsive to movement of the lock side bar,movable conducting means arranged circumferentially with respect to saidcircuit breaking means, and a plurality of contacts carried by saidhousing, said housing having an elongated slot around its periphery,said circuit breaking means comprising an arcuate shaped insulatormember, an arcuate leaf spring conductor member deflectably carried bysaid insulator member, and a contact, said movable conducting meanscomprising, a circular non-conducting member, an arcuate conductingmeans imbedded in said non-conducting member, and an outwardlyprojecting member cooperating with the slot in the housing, said arcuateconducting means imbedded in one quadrant of said circularnon-conducting member, said movable conducting means having an insideand outside portion being disposed in slidable concentric relationshiparound said circuit breaking means, said arcuate conducting means beingarranged to make contact with one or several of said plurality ofcontacts with its out-side portion while its inside portion is inconstant contact with said contact of said circuit breaking means, saiddisposition providing a circuit path to one or several of said pluralityof contacts, said projection providing an external means for control ofsaid movable conducting means, said switch being initially energizableby a deflecting leaf spring con ductor member in response to a movementof the lock side bar as a key is inserted into the lock cylinder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,036,115 8/1912Hofiman et al 20042 1,095,279 5/ 1914 Hull. 2,348,134 5/ 1944 Jacobi(20044 2,536,918 1/1951 Dorfman 20044 2,715,138 7/1955 Arnejo 20044BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner.

7. IN A SWITCH HOUSING HAVING A ROTATABLE LOCK CYLINDER DISPOSEDTHEREIN, SAID LOCK CYLINDER INCLUDING TUMBLERS MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO AKEY TO FORM A LATERAL SLOT, AND A LOCK SIDE BAR MOVABLE FROM LOCKINGENGAGEMENT WITH THE HOUSING INTO SAID LATERAL SLOT TO FREE THE LOCKCYLINDER FOR ROTATION, AND ELECTRIC SWITCH COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF